Montreal Canadiens: Three Teams Most Likely To Be Habs Trade Partners Before Trade Deadline

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are surprisingly one of the best teams in the National Hockey League this season. In fact, they are sitting atop the overall standings and we are well into the second half of the league's schedule. No one predicted this from them, but they have moved plenty of chips to the middle of the table already.

The Canucks made the first big addition of trade season when they acquired Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames. They needed to add some center depth and they did so by landing the top center on the market this season.

They have elite players at every position with Thatcher Demko in goal, Quinn Hughes on the blue line and Elias Pettersson at center. They have plenty of depth throughout their lineup and added far more by acquiring Lindholm and filled a need up front.

Their next biggest need is a defensive minded right shooting defenseman. David Savard would be a fine fit there on the second pairing between Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers on the right side. Savard is signed for one more season and the Canucks would welcome that as Myers, Nikita Zadorov, Ian Cole, and Mark Friedman are all UFAs following this season.

Considering what the Canucks gave up for Lindholm, a package that included a first round pick, Andrei Kuzmenko. exciting prospect Hunter Brzustewicz, prospect Joni Jurmo and a fourth round pick, they are not shy to make a big deal.

Savard was traded for first and third round draft picks three years ago and there is no reason to believe his value is far less now. The Canadiens might be able to wiggle a first rounder out of the Canucks, but if not, there is still a trade to be made there involving draft picks and prospects.